An Argyll nursery is set to take more control over the weather - well in its polytunnels at least.  Highland Heathers is building ventilated multi-bayed polytunnels in a bid to produce even better plants and is expanding its growing area at the same time.

Highland Heathers is based in Lochgilphead but has sites at Ford, Achahoish and Taynuilt.  They supply a range of plants to garden centres and wholesalers in the UK and are slowly developing a European market for their products.  The company employs over 70 staff  at its four sites and this new project will create at least three new full-time jobs at Highland Heathers.

Highland Heathers, originally Inverleiver Nurseries, was established in 1978 and is a family run business.  The £100,000 investment in polytunnels is being assisted by Argyll and the Islands Enterprise (AIE), part of the Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) network.  A HIE Efficiency grant - which aims to encourage businesses to upgrade their processes in order to improve efficiency - and a building grant totalling £26,000 has helped Highland Heathers with the development.

Chief executive at AIE, Ken Abernethy said: "Last year's Foot and Mouth crisis hit many rural businesses hard but this development at Highland Heathers is evidence that our rural economy is beginning to recover with people willing to make new investments."